April 30, 2018
Dear Friend,
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi has made a tremendous contribution to the First District. Toyota continues to deliver on promises to bring good paying jobs to north Mississippi, invest in our communities, and pursue long-term goals that improve the quality of life for our citizens. Last week, Toyota announced plans to invest $170 million as they prepare to build the 12th generation Corolla - the best selling car in the world. The company is expanding their workforce with the addition of 400 jobs. Toyota currently has 1,500 team members at the Blue Springs facility.
During a recent groundbreaking ceremony, Toyota officials unveiled an artist's rendering of their future Toyota Mississippi Visitor and Training Center. The center will provide enhanced workforce training. Additionally, the 5,000-square-foot space will include interactive exhibits that will tell Toyota's story and celebrate the great partnership with our region and the state of Mississippi.
The increase in production combined with new machinery and expansion of their workforce represents a total investment of more than $1 billion since 2007. This is great news for the First District and Mississippi.
ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE
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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018
The House passed, with my support, H.R. 4, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Act of 2018. This legislation will provide long-term stability to our country's aviation community, authorize robust investment to our local airports, enhance passenger protections, and make it much easier for U.S. industries to compete globally. The FAA Reauthorization Act is critical for our local Mississippi airports to make much needed improvements.
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tronox celebration
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Mississippians understand the value of maintaining a good job which is why businesses and industries choose to operate in our great state. Tronox is one of our industries that has achieved success with help from our skilled workforce. Tronox manufactures titanium dioxide in Hamilton. Recently, Tronox celebrated the Hamilton plant's 60th anniversary. Tronox held the event to honor the companies and the employees who have made the operation successful over the years.
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listening to our constituents
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Last week, I had the opportunity to speak to the leadership and students of Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville. It is important for our young people to understand that true leadership is about working hard and making tough decisions.
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Clockwise from left: Dylan Sullivan,
Northeast Mississippi Community College
President Ricky Ford and
Executive Vice President Craig-Ellis Sasser |
NEMCC President Ricky Ford and Executive Vice President Craig-Ellis Sasser also offered insight into the successful workforce development programs that are helping to strengthen our workforce. As an East Central Community College graduate, I am a strong believer in the value of a community college education and the important role community colleges play in our state and the nation.
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world war ii veteran h.C. franklin
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In times of war and peace, Mississippians have answered the call to serve our nation to protect the freedoms we all enjoy. In 1943, H.C. Franklin left the family farm in rural Lafayette County and entered the U.S. Navy to serve in World War II. After weeks of intense training, Mr. Franklin was assigned to the USS La Salle, where he served as a landing craft driver. One of his most vivid memories was President Franklin Roosevelt inspecting the fleet when their ship was anchored at Pearl Harbor in 1944. Mr. Franklin said President Roosevelt boosted the morale of all those who saw him that day.
During his three years of service in WWII, Mr. Franklin demonstrated courage and bravery that earned him many awards including the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
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| H.C. and Hugh Franklin |
When Mr. Franklin returned from WWII, he married Jimmie Henderson. They have two children, Hugh and Susan. In addition to being a devoted family man, Mr. Franklin has also given back to his fellow veterans by previously serving as the commander of the Darrell J. Depriest Chapter 48 of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and as the state commander of the Mississippi Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Mr. Franklin was named the Kiwanis Club of Oxford Outstanding President of the Year in 1979. He also served on the Oxford Planning and Zoning Commission and the Oxford Board of Aldermen. We are grateful for Mr. Franklin's many contributions which has helped to improve the quality of life for Mississippi's veterans and for the citizens of Oxford and Lafayette County.
If you would like to nominate a veteran to be featured in the newsletter, please contact our team in the Tupelo District Office at (662) 841-8808.
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military academy appointment
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Military service is a commitment and an honor. It is a privilege to see our young people wanting to continue this important tradition. Every year, I am honored to be able to select a number of outstanding Mississippians who want to attend one of our five prestigious military academies. I am honored to announce the appointment of Chris Meixsell, a DeSoto Central High School senior, to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Chris, the son of Jeff and Nicole Meixsell, is an Eagle Scout. He is involved in a number of clubs including the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Additionally, Chris plays the trumpet for the DeSoto Central High School Marching Band and is a member of the varsity tennis team. Chris plans to major in physics. I look forward to announcing more academy appointments in the coming days. For more information about attending one of the U.S. Armed Forces academies, please contact our military academy liaison Melinda Whited at (662) 687-1525.
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2018 congressional art competition
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Congratulations to Helen Peng who is the first place winner of the First District's 2018 Congressional Art Competition. Helen is one of 57 students who submitted artwork for the competition. Helen's parents, Ed Luke and Xiaolong Tong, said she began drawing when she was three years old. Helen is a student at the Mississippi School for Math and Science in Columbus. Her artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. She and winners from across the nation will be honored during a reception to be held in Washington, D.C. in June.
During the awards ceremony held at the Farmington District Office, four additional students received special recognition for their artistic abilities. The artwork of Hanna Hussey (Mooreville), Katie Beth Wadkins (Kossuth), Malanee Selmer (Hernando), and Reed Lindsey (Booneville) will be displayed in the First District field offices.
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Clockwise from left: Hanna Hussey,
Katie Beth Wadkins, Malanee Selmer,
and Reed Lindsey |
For more information about the 2018 Congressional Art Competition, please contact Melinda Whited at (662) 687-1525.
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a week in pictures
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For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.
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Northeast Mississippi Community College
Campus Security Officer Anthony Anderson |
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NEMCC students Bryttany Fender and
Leonardo Robinson |
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| NEMCC student Shelby Smink |
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| NEMCC student Taylor Harris |
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Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists
President and CEO Rob Rogers (Tupelo)
with attorney Andy Taggart (Ridgeland) |
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Entergy President and CEO Haley
Fisackerly with Directors of Federal Government
Affairs Cory C. Horton and Allison Graves
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Polo Custom Products Sourcing Manager
Jennifer Fennell |
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| DeSoto County Economic Development Council |
For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.
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STAY IN TOUCH
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Let me know if there is anything my office can do to assist you. You can keep up with the latest news by signing up for my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Thanks for reading,
Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress
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